Ivan Basso's phrase at the start of the Gold Cup He continued to make us smile. His son Levante, rather than becoming a rider like his brother Santiago, had asked him What school should one attend to learn Zanatta's trade?. So, half jokingly and half seriously, on the eve of the Tour of the Veneto, meeting the sporting director of the Eolo-Kometa After the sports directors' meeting, we asked him. Stefano also knew about the funny question of the young Basso, so after a laugh, he followed us in the conversation.
How did Zanatta's work come about?
When I stopped running, let's say that getting into the team was the continuation of a family tradition, because my father was the sporting director and so this thing is a bit innate in me. Already in the years when I ran to Gatorade, there were no radios so I acted as an intermediary between the directors and the teamIt was my job to talk to Stanga or Corti (team technicians, ed.) and then to convey to my teammates what could or should be done in the raceI've always had this spirit. So it came naturally to me when I stopped take over the team with Roberto Amadio in Jolly ComponibiliThen I was lucky enough, in addition to my father's teaching, to work with Stanga who was already very organized and then to spend my years at Fassa Bortolo with Giancarlo Ferretti. I've always said it: with him I attended the university of cycling..
What did you learn from your father?
To have a detached relationship with athletes, not to fall in love with riders. Make sure the rider is honest and, above all, good. Be able to get him to bring out the talents he has.
And from Ferretti?
I learned competitiveness. Understanding that when you are a professional, you go on the road to bring a name to the top and to achieve resultsThis is essential to being able to continue the activity, otherwise one does not become an athlete at high levels. This is professionalism, you go to the races and when you put the number on, you have to compete. Ferron gave me this spirit.
Now that you're one of the most experienced directors, do you feel you have something to teach the younger ones, for example Jesus Hernandez, who is growing up in your team?
I've always tried to convey something. Jesus is definitely young, he just stopped racing, so in many ways he's experienced a different kind of cycling than I did, which I watched from the team car. However, I believe he has the good will to learn the job and this also makes me proud to pass it on to him.Like many things with Ivan (Ivan Basso, the two were together at Liquigas, opening photo, ed.), who was my rider and knows me a little better. But trusting someone and appreciating the work they do and what you can do within a new team is the greatest satisfaction for someone like me.
A boy who today wanted to learn Zanatta's work?
School gives you a lot, but one must feel that one can live this type of role with the right detachmentAiming to achieve results, but above all with the group. Many now prefer to follow a champion, follow the data and maybe drive the flagship, then they don't know what it feels like to race.In my opinion, someone who's also been a rider is definitely more suited to it. Because then experiencing or reliving, at least understanding the sensations, moments, and moods that can be found in a group, I think can help him. Having the ability to read and above all understand the kids who are on the streetI think that the biggest difficulty today is that, because the world moves so fast that it's not easy to stop for a moment in the evening and maybe give a summary of the day, to understand if an athlete can give you something more or if we have already given a lot and cannot achieve more than that.
Does the rider always need the same things?
The rider still needs to know that Cycling is hard work, you have to pedal alone, you have to have a lifestyle and diet suited to this type of sportBecause the road is still the same, the climbs are still the same, and there are more competitors. Because everything is globalized. Once upon a time, cycling was more closely tied to our European territory, and when an American or an Australian came, it was an exception. Now we know that they are as prepared as we are; they've learned. They arrived with cycling already mastered. The English started cycling knowing everything, they don't have a story behind itThey took the book, read it, and were good at transforming it and putting their resources to work.
Is it all that easy?
I always tell him. With social media and the means at their disposal, it seems that everything is easy, everything is taken for granted.They get a result and everyone already has an open book, but that's not the case. The morning rider must remember that he has to demonstrate that he has to train, he has to try to live his life, he has to put in the right amount of competitive spirit.And when we have to stop, we must stop and recover, above all. Because otherwise the expectations they have… It takes time to mature, expectations are always high and there is always little time.So whoever manages to give the kids time will certainly be able to achieve great results.
